France Says Google Infringes Data Privacy Rules

France's data protection agency has determined that Google's current business practices are in breach of local regulations regarding how the company treats user data. Now, Google must comply with a number of changes to its policy and practices within three months to avoid sanctions.

Going forward, Google must ensure user data is not retained beyond the "period necessary for the purposes for which they are collected." It also has to let users understand "practically the processing of their personal data," and obtain user consent before storing cookies.